Group Leader- Dental X-ray Protection Service

UK Health Security Agency

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The principal responsibilities of the post holder are the management of charged-for radiation protection services the dental X-ray protection service (DXPS), together with overall line management of the associated scientific staff in one of the services groups within the operational services department at Radiation, Chemical, Climate & Environmental Hazards (RCCE). The expected annual income for the operational services department is approximately £4M, of which, the contribution from the DXPS group will typically be in the region of £1.2M. The post holder will be experienced in the organisation and delivery of radiation protection services, ideally in a range of settings, from industrial, although majoring in healthcare, to education and research.

This is a senior management position within the department; as such, the post holder is expected to work with the other group leaders to ensure delivery of the departmental work programme. In addition to management functions, the post holder is required to be involved in delivery of income earning work and to support RCCE's emergency preparedness and response function.

UKHSA are a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 in the event of a radiation emergency, and our staff may be required at short notice to transport radioactive substances or equipment from, or to, an offsite emergency centre or radiation monitoring unit.

Main duties of the job

  • Strategic oversight of the dental X-ray protection service delivered from the department. The postholder will be responsible for planning and organisation of this complex service, including preparation of business plans, setting objectives and service development. At this grade this is a high level and responsible duty, with the postholder being the primary person with direct responsibility for the planning and development of the service
  • Support for, and active delivery of, other income generating services as required eg consultancy and training work etc. To include acting as professional adviser for clients with complex radiation protection issues including supervision of more junior professional staff, maintenance of professional standards, and membership of the operational services management team, which has responsibility for oversight of the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) Body in accordance with its recognition from the Health and Safety Executive
  • Management of the scientific staff in the group (up to 15)
  • Management of capital projects as required
  • Monitoring of financial performance and attainment of income targets (up to £1.2M)
  • Monitoring of expenditure (up to £100k)
  • Ensuring business continuity arrangements with third parties as appropriate
  • Advice and support to government departments and agencies (environment agencies, Health and Safety Executive, DHSC, BEIS, MoD) as required

Continued below

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Date posted

24 January 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£62,292 to £66,415 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-LT-3734758-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

OX11 0RQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties of the job continued:

  • Support for RCCE's engagement with international organisations as and when required, including input into development of international standards
  • Support to RCCE's emergency preparedness and response function. As required fulfilling senior roles in the emergency response plan. This will include attending national nuclear and anti-terrorist exercises/emergencies as principal RCCE adviser, dealing with other agencies (police and national agencies such as Food Standards Agency and environment agencies). Duties will include assessing the radiation risk to the public and advising on the need for countermeasures such as evacuation and shelterin
  • Participation in national and international scientific conferences, presenting high level papers to large audiences (>100) on a range of specialised subjects
  • Contributing to the development and delivery of professional level training courses provided to senior radiation protection professionals
  • Contribute to the development and training of developing RCCE staff who have not attained RPA and/or Medical Physics Experts (MPE) certification, through practical demonstration and instruction in the application of legislation, the use of radiation monitoring equipment, quality control, and restriction of exposure. This will include checking the written work of developing and certificated RPAs and MPEs in accordance with RPA Body Quality Assurance protocols
  • Support the head of department and other OSD group leaders with respect to the overall management of this busy and friendly department

We offer a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance, including generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working hours, possibility of working from home and membership of the excellent civil service pension scheme.

The post is based at one of our three sites (Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, Glasgow and Leeds), which offer ample free parking and are close to a wide range of amenities:

  • Didcot (Harwell Campus) a modern dedicated science campus in an attractive rural setting on the edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering exceptional quality of life and just 20 min drive from the historic city of Oxford
  • Glasgow (Hardgate Road) a vibrant and diverse city in which to live and work and the perfect base for access to the Highlands and beyond. The city boasts efficient motorway connections, affordable property prices and excellent options for schools and further education
  • Leeds (Cookridge) often ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK, Leeds offers excellent shopping, nightlife and culture as well as easy access to Yorkshires beautiful landscapes and countryside

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift- Competency based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application
  • 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

  • Certificated medical physics expert.
  • Full clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel on UKHSA business

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview- Competency based

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview

There will be a written test, assessment, and a presentation, details of the latter will be given on selection for interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 24th February 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our scientific campus in Chilton or our sites at Leeds or Glasgow. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month).

If based at one of our scientific locations, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties of the job continued:

  • Support for RCCE's engagement with international organisations as and when required, including input into development of international standards
  • Support to RCCE's emergency preparedness and response function. As required fulfilling senior roles in the emergency response plan. This will include attending national nuclear and anti-terrorist exercises/emergencies as principal RCCE adviser, dealing with other agencies (police and national agencies such as Food Standards Agency and environment agencies). Duties will include assessing the radiation risk to the public and advising on the need for countermeasures such as evacuation and shelterin
  • Participation in national and international scientific conferences, presenting high level papers to large audiences (>100) on a range of specialised subjects
  • Contributing to the development and delivery of professional level training courses provided to senior radiation protection professionals
  • Contribute to the development and training of developing RCCE staff who have not attained RPA and/or Medical Physics Experts (MPE) certification, through practical demonstration and instruction in the application of legislation, the use of radiation monitoring equipment, quality control, and restriction of exposure. This will include checking the written work of developing and certificated RPAs and MPEs in accordance with RPA Body Quality Assurance protocols
  • Support the head of department and other OSD group leaders with respect to the overall management of this busy and friendly department

We offer a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance, including generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working hours, possibility of working from home and membership of the excellent civil service pension scheme.

The post is based at one of our three sites (Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, Glasgow and Leeds), which offer ample free parking and are close to a wide range of amenities:

  • Didcot (Harwell Campus) a modern dedicated science campus in an attractive rural setting on the edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering exceptional quality of life and just 20 min drive from the historic city of Oxford
  • Glasgow (Hardgate Road) a vibrant and diverse city in which to live and work and the perfect base for access to the Highlands and beyond. The city boasts efficient motorway connections, affordable property prices and excellent options for schools and further education
  • Leeds (Cookridge) often ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK, Leeds offers excellent shopping, nightlife and culture as well as easy access to Yorkshires beautiful landscapes and countryside

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift- Competency based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application
  • 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

  • Certificated medical physics expert.
  • Full clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel on UKHSA business

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview- Competency based

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview

There will be a written test, assessment, and a presentation, details of the latter will be given on selection for interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 24th February 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our scientific campus in Chilton or our sites at Leeds or Glasgow. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month).

If based at one of our scientific locations, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A higher scientific degree, e.g., MSc or PhD in a relevant science/radiation protection field or a BSc in a relevant science (or equivalent) plus substantive experience in operational radiation protection.
  • Certificated medical physics expert

Desirable

  • Certificated radiation protection adviser
  • Membership of professional body, e.g. Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine; Society for Radiological Protection.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience in, and an established reputation for, work in operational radiation protection, with evidence of particular expertise in one or more areas of interest.
  • Experience of financial management, complex contract negotiation and development of service business plans.
  • Experience in the effective management of professional staff, including the prioritisation of workloads and dealing with sensitive personnel issues.

Desirable

  • Understanding of emergency response arrangements and experience of taking senior roles in emergency exercises.

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations. This should include excellent presentation skills and the ability to prepare high quality written reports.
  • Excellent insight to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation, along with creativity to develop novel interpretations and development of advice.
  • Excellent decision-making skills with demonstrable capability to act upon incomplete information using experience to make inferences and aid decision making.
  • Vision, drive and determination to critically analyse working practices, develop new service delivery options and modernise old, with the skills to manage the change effectively.
  • Full clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel on UKHSA business.

Desirable

  • Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes, with a focus on deadlines and adjust plans accordingly.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A higher scientific degree, e.g., MSc or PhD in a relevant science/radiation protection field or a BSc in a relevant science (or equivalent) plus substantive experience in operational radiation protection.
  • Certificated medical physics expert

Desirable

  • Certificated radiation protection adviser
  • Membership of professional body, e.g. Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine; Society for Radiological Protection.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience in, and an established reputation for, work in operational radiation protection, with evidence of particular expertise in one or more areas of interest.
  • Experience of financial management, complex contract negotiation and development of service business plans.
  • Experience in the effective management of professional staff, including the prioritisation of workloads and dealing with sensitive personnel issues.

Desirable

  • Understanding of emergency response arrangements and experience of taking senior roles in emergency exercises.

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations. This should include excellent presentation skills and the ability to prepare high quality written reports.
  • Excellent insight to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation, along with creativity to develop novel interpretations and development of advice.
  • Excellent decision-making skills with demonstrable capability to act upon incomplete information using experience to make inferences and aid decision making.
  • Vision, drive and determination to critically analyse working practices, develop new service delivery options and modernise old, with the skills to manage the change effectively.
  • Full clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel on UKHSA business.

Desirable

  • Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes, with a focus on deadlines and adjust plans accordingly.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

OX11 0RQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

OX11 0RQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Support Officer

Lisa Tweedie

Recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Date posted

24 January 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£62,292 to £66,415 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-LT-3734758-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

Chilton/Leeds/Glasgow

OX11 0RQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)